SARALANJ HIGHWAY TO EASE TRAFFIC IN DOWNTOWN YEREVAN PUT INTO OPERATION

Noyan Tapan

Se p 29, 2008

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 29, NOYAN TAPAN. Saralanj Highway was put into
operation in Yerevan on September 29. The highway links Kentron and
Arabkir communities without traffic-light regulating crossroads,
reaching as far as Davitashen Bridge. Saralanj highway’s entrance is
ensured by a 186-meter tunnel that begins at Myasnikian Avenue. The
construction of the highway started 3 years ago with about 6
billion drams allocated by Armenian American Kirk Kirkorian’s Lincy
Foundation. A two-level transport passage, which ensures an entrance
into the highway and links Abovian Grove to Myasnikian Avenue,
was also put into operation. The total length of the passage is
220 meters, including a 44-meter tunnel section. 1.3 billion drams
of state budgetary resources was allocated for its construction. It
will allow to ease traffic congestion at the crossroads of Yerevan’s
Abovian-Myasnikian and Heratsi Streets.

The opening ceremony was attended by the RA president Serzh Sargsyan,
the former president Robert Kocharian, ministers and other high-ranking
officials. In the words of Yerevan mayor Yervand Zakarian, Saralanj
Highway is the first freeway bypassing downtown Yerevan, which is
an alternative to busy Baghramian Avenue, Abovian Street, Khanjian
Street and several other streets full of traffic. "The operation of
Saralanj Road solves the problem of easing traffic in Yerevan because
vehicles moving from the city’s north to its south and in the opposite
direction will no longer pass through the center of Yerevan," the mayor
said. In connection with the elimination of traffic-light regulation,
construction of an overground pedestrian crossing has already began
in Heratsi Street and will finish by late 2008. The road construction
work in Ayrarat Cinema – Heratsi Street section will also finish
by late 2008, ensuring a free movement of traffic along the Getar
River’s bed to Saralanj Highway up to Davitashen Bridge.

During a talk with reporters Serzh Sargsyan attached importance
to the programs on road construction and school construction. He
also spoke about his recent visit to the U.S. which he assessed as
normal. In his words, the warmest and most moving meeting was that
with the Armenian community: "I told them that we must be tolerant and
competitive and that our power is in our diversity." The president
said that the power of the local Dispora is felt: "I was just proud
that we have some compatriots who represent force and power in the
world’s most powerful state."